Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) stands as one of the preeminent figures in 20th-century Scandinavian design and architecture. Born in Kuortane, Finland, Aalto's innovative approach merged modernist principles with traditional craftsmanship. Renowned for his organic forms and sensitivity to natural materials, Aalto's creations epitomize the essence of Nordic design ethos. Among his most celebrated works is the iconic 'Savoy Vase' (1936), and the 'Paimio Chair' (1932) designed for the Paimio Sanatorium (1933).

Valaistustyö

Various

Pair of Door Handles

Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy Turku

Model no. A86.
Stained birch, laminated bentwood.

Furniture

Side Table

Model no. 48, designed circa 1947.
Lacquered birch, bent bird plywood, leather cord, recently recovered in linen by Jacksons.

Armchair

Literature:
Tuukkanen, Pirkko, 'Alvar Aalto: Designer', The Alvar Aalto Museum (Finland) 2002. p. 181.

Model no. 21, designed in 1933.
Karelian birch plywood, laminated bentwood legs.

Set of Three Chairs

Artek

Pair of Extra High Screens Model no.100

Model no. A811, designed 1965.
Lacquered metal, brass, leather wrapped metal base and stem.
Impressed with manufacturer's mark and model number to collar (erroneously marked A111)

Lighting

Floor Lamp

Model no. A811, designed 1965.
Lacquered metal, brass, leather wrapped metal base and stem.
Impressed with manufacturer's mark and model number to collar.

Model no. 41, designed in 1931-1932, this example executed 1938-1940.
Steam bent laminated birch, Karelian birch veneer. 
Stamped 'New Furniture/ Incorporated/ 45 Rockefeller Place/ New York City, N', under seat.

This example was imported from Finland and retailed by New Furniture Incorporated, New York founded by Laurence Rockefeller in conjunction with the opening of the Aalto exhibition at the Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA) in 1938. The winter war in 1940 made it difficult to continue to export and the firm was closed by 1940. 

No. 41 was available in three options in the 1939 New Furniture Inc price guide: Birch, Enamel (black, blue, red, green, white) or Curled Birch (Karelian Birch), the latter the most expensive option.

'Paimio' Armchair

History:
This model was designed for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland in 1931-32.

Literature:
New Furniture Incorporated, Price List, January 1939, New York, n.p.
Kellein, Thomas, 'Alvar & Aino Aalto. Design. Collection Bischofberger', Hatje Cantz Verlag (Germany) 2004, p.40.

Model no. 38, designed 1936, produced until the 1940s.
Moulded laminated birch, wool upholstery, leather buttons.

Another example available: ref. <a href="https://www.jacksons.se/products/tank-armchair-2311039" target="_blank">2311039</a>.

Highback 'Tank' chair

Literature:
Tuukkanen, Pirkko, 'Alvar Aalto: Designer', The Alvar Aalto Museum (Finland) 2002. p. 174.

Model no. 38, designed 1936, produced until the 1940s.
Moulded laminated birch. Recently recovered by Jacksons in linen textile, leather buttons.

Another example available: ref. <a href="https://www.jacksons.se/products/armchair-2010027" target="_blank">2010027</a>.

Highback 'Tank' Chair

Designed in 1933-1935.
Bent solid birch, solid birch.

Model no. 401, designed in 1933.
Laminated bentwood, linen upholstery.

Highback Armchair

Literature:
Tuukkanen, Pirkko, 'Alvar Aalto: Designer', The Alvar Aalto Museum (Finland) 2002. p. 167.

Model no. A333, designed in 1954.
Painted metal, brass interior, perforated brass.
Manufacturer's stamp and model number to the base.

'Turnip' Ceiling Lamp

History:
Model no. A333, or 'Turnip', was created for the National Pensions Institute building in Helsinki.

Model no. 41, also known as 'Paimio', designed in 1931-32.
Bent laminated birch plywood, lacquered plywood. 
Impressed '3' to underside of both arms.

Provenance:
Erik Andersson. "Villa Mamre", a property from ca. 1900 situated outside of Gävle, Sweden. Reportedly, this chair was purchased in the 1930s along with other Aalto furniture;
Thence by descent.

History:
This model was designed for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland in 1931-32.

Literature:
Kellein, Thomas, 'Alvar & Aino Aalto. Design. Collection Bischofberger', Hatje Cantz Verlag (Germany) 2004, p.40.

Designed in 1932, for the entrance hall of the Paimio Sanatorium.
Bent painted steel metal, painted birch plywood.
Inventory mark under seat: 'V'.

Stool

Literature:
Männisto, Pertti, 'Aalto: Design Collection', Pertti Männitö (Finland) 2022, p.76.
Tuukkanen, Pirkko, 'Alvar Aalto: Designer', The Alvar Aalto Museum (Finland) 2002. p. 76.

Painted metal, brass. 
Impressed 'Valaistustyö A 332' to frame.

Other 'Beehive' examples available.

'Beehive' Ceiling Lamp

Model no. A808, designed in 1955.
Perforated brass, white lacquered metal, leather wrapped stem. 
Manufacturers stamps and model number to the base.

History:
Designed for National Pensions Institute, Helsinki.

Laminated birch plywood. 

Literature: 
P. Tuukkanen, Alvar Aalto: Designer, Alvar Aalto Museum, Ram Distribution, 2002. Example shown on p. 169 

T. Kellein, Alvar & Aino Aalto. Design Collection Bischofberger, cat. Exp., Éditions Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Zurich, 2005. Example shown on p. 109 

E. Jochen & M. Kries. Alvar Aalto Second Nature. Vitra Design Museum, 2014. Example shown on p. 525

Shelf Model no. 111

Model no. A622B.
Lacquered metal.
Stamped with manufacturer's mark and model no. to base.

Ceiling Lamp

Model no. A22, executed early 1950s. 
Original lacquered metal. 

Provenance: 
Alvar Aalto
Thence by descent.

Model no. A605.
Lacquered metal, brass interior. 
Stamped with manufacturers mark and model no. to the base.

Model no. A622A, designed in 1953.
Lacquered metal.

Model no. A110.
Painted brass, perforated brass, brass.

Alvar Aalto

1898-1976